NHRC notices to the Chief Secretary and DGP, Uttar Pradesh over reported death of five persons in an open septic tank in Agra

New Delhi, 18th March, 2021

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC India, has taken Suo motu cognizance of a media report that five persons including four from a family, died after inhaling poisonous gas inside open septic tank in Fatehabad, District Agra, Uttar Pradesh on 16th March, 2021. Reportedly, twelve feet deep sewage water tank was dug three days ago and was left uncovered. It was filled with four feet deep sewage.

The Commission has issued notices to Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The report must include information regarding the measures being adopted by the State government to deal with such tragic incidents.

Issuing the notices, the Commission, on the basis of the media report, has also observed that five lives were lost due to the apparent negligence of the owner of the house as well as the authorities responsible to monitor such work in their area of jurisdiction. It is necessary to fix the responsibility and take action against the guilty so that such incidents of gross negligence causing death are not repeated.

According to the media reports, carried on 17.03.2021, the string of deaths began when a 10-year-old boy accidentally fell into the open septic tank. His two elder brothers, aged 16 and 17 years, respectively, jumped into the gaping hole after listening to the wails of their sibling. Their panic stricken uncle, aged 32 years and a neighbor, aged 20 years, followed to save them but they also paid with their lives.

Reportedly, the Senior Superintendent of Agra has stated that five persons, who had fallen in the septic tank, were declared brought dead at SN Medical College, Agra.

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